This fruit comes in several distinct varieties, each with its own character.
We cover fuyus, hachiyas, and American persimmons.
If you plan on eating any of them it is crucially important to know how to tell them apart!
Elise Bauer
The tree is part of the ebony family.
Fuyu Persimmons
Fuyu persimmons are short and squat, and are shaped much like tomatoes.
When they are orange, they’re ripe, and can be eaten like an apple.
Fuyu Persimmons.Elise Bauer
You don’t have to peel them, but I do.
Just cut out the crown, peel them or not, and cut into wedges to eat.
Once in a while you may find a dime-sized brown seed, just remove.
Fuyu Persimmons.Elise Bauer
During my many trips to Japan I have often been served Fuyu persimmons this time of year.
Always, they were presented this way, already peeled and sliced.
If you bite into a hard, unripe Hachiya, you’ll never forget it!
Acorned-shaped unripe Hachiya persimmons.Elise Bauer
Talk about mouth puckering.
When a Hachiya is ripe, it’s wonderfully sweet.
Eventually the persimmon will get so ripe you could squeeze it like an over-ripe tomato.
If you can’t squeeze a hachiya persimmon and feel it give like this, it’s not ready to eat.Elise Bauer
When you break into a ripe hachiya, the flesh is soft and pudding-like.
Just scoop it out with a spoon.
you’ve got the option to eat it straight like that, or save the pulp for baking.
Scoop the ripe pulp of a Hachiya persimmon out with a spoon.Elise Bauer
you’ve got the option to freeze the pulp for cooking with later.
Like Hachiya persimmons, American persimmons need to be very soft before you’re free to eat them.
However, they will not ripen off of the tree.
Elise Bauer
You must wait until they are soft to harvest them.
Their flavor can be date-like, or somewhat reminiscent of an apricot, but with more tannins.
Most often they are used in baked puddings or in cookies and breads.
Puree the pulp if you like, but leaving it chunky can add some pleasing texture to baked goods.
Fun fact about the American persimmon: Its seeds were used as buttons during theCivil War.
Health Benefits of Persimmons
Persimmons are full of vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber.
